SUNY Cortland vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or W&J? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at State University of New York at Cortland than W&J ($19,847 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington & Jefferson College are 5.5% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($14,710 vs. $15,560).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 231.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $20,518 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.5% higher at W&J than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $10,608 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 144.1% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($20,152 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland or W&J? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between W&J and SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 40 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming SUNY Cortland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at W&J).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at W&J (3.54).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 12.6% at W&J.

SUNY Cortland vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and W&J? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than W&J graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.